Cambridge University opens new £26m science research centre

The University of Cambridge’s £26 million Maxwell Centre has opened and it is set to become the centrepiece for industrial partnerships with physical sciences and engineering firms.

The focus will be on research in areas such as efficient energy generation, storage and use, alongside work on photovoltaics and refrigeration.

Businesses will be able to use facilities and technology that will be provided by the Centre, as well as for the University of Cambridge’s Science and Technology campus.

Work begun back in 2014, and signalled a major move for the staff of the Cavendish Laboratory as the new centre will offer space for more than 230 people.

The new development will be home to the University’s engineering, chemistry, material sciences and biotechnology departments, as well as chemical engineering researchers.

Two EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) doctoral training centres – the Engergy@Cambridge Initiative and the SKF University Technology Centre –will also be housed in the new centre. Both will connect to wider research and initiative networks.

Intention

The Maxwell Centre will present researchers with the chance to develop products that may prove vital for different industries in the long term.

New research opportunities are usually found by industrial activity, but solving issues needs a transfer of ideas and techniques, which tend to come from fields separate to the sector.

The centre is a signal of the determination from the University to ensure new information and applications will be available for industries, ensuring the improvement of growth and partnerships between firms and research.

Efforts have already been made to ingrain industry focus and engagement into the university so it can provide expert research to a variety of businesses and networks.

Cavendish Laboratory received £20 million from David Harding, an alumnus of the Physics Department, to establish the Winston programme which gives the opportunity to discover breakthrough’s that could benefit the world.